My Beauty Buys Naomi Watts

"Always be natural: That's what my mother told me when I was growing up.".

How would you describe your daily beauty routine?

Low maintenance. I could use more help now that I'm a mother [son, Alexander, is 1; baby No. 2 is on the way]. But I don't get around to doing things like tweezing anymore. When I show up at photo shoots, the makeup artist is horrified.

You're the new face of Thierry Mugler Angel. What do you like about the fragrance?

It's a powerful scent that's great for evening. I put it on when I'm in a bold, strong mood.

What's your earliest memory of fragrance?

When I was a kid, I would try to make my own perfume. I took roses from bushes, soaked the petals, and imagined I was a perfume connoisseur.

What has been your biggest beauty disaster?

I used to do terrible things to my hair when I was younger. We're talking home perms, dyeing it pink, and giving myself an asymmetrical haircut!

Is there one product you can't live without?

Sunscreen. I emigrated to Australia with my family when I was 14, and coming from England where we didn't see much sun, I wanted to be very careful. I don't muck around with SPF 15 or 25--I use 50.

Who gave you your best beauty tip ever?

I remember my mother telling me never to color my hair because once you start, you won't stop. But I didn't exactly adhere to it.

MAKEUP OBSESSION

"You get major length using this. I wear it at night."

THIERRY MUGLER FLASH ON LASHES MASCARA $28; saks.com.

MY TOP MUST-HAVES

THIERRY MUGLER ANGEL EAU DE PARFUM

"The longer this scent stays on, the better it gets."

$177/2.6 oz.; saks.com.

BENEFIT ERASE PASTE

"It's a concealer with good coverage that doesn't look too thick when you apply it."

$26; benefitcosmetics.com.

ENVIRON IONZYME C-QUENCE 1 MOISTURIZER

"This is great because it's a moisturizer and serum in one."

$110; dermogenesis.com for stores.

COPPERTONE WATER BABIES SUNSCREEN

"If it's sensitive enough for a baby, it's good enough for me."

$18/2; at amazon.com.

STILA CHERRY CRUSH LIP & CHEEK STAIN

"Gives a nice berry tint to lips and cheeks."

$24; sephora.com.

LUCAS' PAPAW OINTMENT

"I use this on dry patches and on my lips."

$18; supplementspot.com.

Naomi over the years

From fresh-faced ingénue to 1940s screen siren, this Aussie beauty has tried it all--and lived to laugh about it. Here, she tells us the backstory behind her more memorable red-carpet moments

2000

"I didn't have a hair and makeup team back then, so I did this myself. I love shorter hair."

2003

"Very romantic and ethereal. I really like the hair, the makeup--this whole look."

2004

"This is a fun one. We did heavier eye makeup and big, bad-girl hair."

2007

"I was in my second trimester. We went for an Old Hollywood feel. It was very fresh."

[BOX]

"I'm someone who likes to change her hair. I hate it being the same all the time."